12-Hour Treadmill Challenge Helps Dallas Homeless Get Back on Their Feet

ACE's own ultra-marathoner and triathlete, Eloy Gonzalez, has completed a 12-hour test of strength and endurance through Back on My Feet's annual Treadmill Challenge.
Gonzalez committed to running for 12 hours on a treadmill outside the American Airlines Center on Dec. 9 in order to boost awareness about homelessness, raise funds to benefit Back on My Feet Dallas-Fort Worth, and prove to members they can do anything they set their minds to.

"Each year, our Treadmill Challenge brings so much needed awareness to what we do here at Back on My Feet," said Gina Parker, Executive Director of Back on My Feet Dallas-Fort Worth. "Eloy’s commitment to both the Treadmill Challenge and our program continues to amaze me."

Thanks to Gonzalez's fundraising efforts, the Back on My Feet Treadmill Challenge brought in a total of $9,324, and ACE Cash Express matched employee contributions to his cause. In total, ACE employees and the ACE Community Fund raised $7,818.

"ACE employees have a tradition to volunteer their time and energy to community organizations. Eloy has set a new high bar for all of us as an example of extraordinary commitment. His fellow employees supported Eloy and Back on My Feet with their personal contributions and I am pleased that ACE was able to match their dollars," said Eric Norrington, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at ACE Cash Express.

ACE CEO and Back on My Feet National Board Chairman Jay Shipowitz joined Eloy in running his first hour of the challenge. Over the course of 12 hours, Eloy broke his mileage goal and ran over 72 miles. He has been an active volunteer and supporter of Back on My Feet since 2011.

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